Mandy and Aaron Dingle had some good fortune in their efforts to help Paddy and Dylan Penders out of their legal troubles in tonight’s Emmerdale, as a surprising character offered to help them out. The development came after they tried, and failed, to persuade Laurel Thomas to lie to the police.

Paddy and Dylan are currently in hot water for perverting the course of justice when it comes to the murder of villainous Ray Walters at the hands of Bear Wolf.

At the start of today’s episode, the Dingles were informed that the pair may not even get bail, and could face a life sentence… unless a more credible witness came forward to confirm that Bear killed Ray in self-defence.

Such a witness would not only be massively helpful for Bear’s case, but they would also help lessen the severity of the charges faced by Paddy and Dylan.

With that in mind, Mandy and Aaron set about trying to find that crucial extra witness. After Laurel Thomas expressed that she wished there was something she could do to help, they asked her to lie for them.

“I can’t,” Laurel answered. “I’m really sorry. I’m gonna be sorry for the rest of my life… every part of me wants to say yes, but I’ve got Dotty and Arthur. Who’d look after them if I got sent down?”

When Arthur learned that his mum declined to help, he himself stepped up. He approached Aaron and Mandy in The Wolfpack with a proposition.

“I’ll do it. I’ll lie to the police. Just tell me what you want me to say,” he said. “My mum is too scared to; I’m not.”

When Mandy tried to turn him away, he went on: “There’s things you don’t know… me being one of the last people to see Ray. I had a run-in with him after he left our house. I saw him that day, I talked to him. I could do this! And I wouldn’t be lying as well. Not about everything, anyway.”

When Aaron sent Arthur to the bar while he discussed it with Mandy, Mandy appeared ready to jump at the offer. Will they let Arthur come to their rescue and get Paddy and Dylan out of trouble? And how will Laurel react when she finds out?